Another Little Girl Attacked by Coyote in Rye

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A 3-year-old girl was attacked by a coyote while playing in her backyard in suburban New York -- an incident that occurred just four days after another girl was scratched and bitten by a pair of coyotes in the same suburb.

Doug French, the mayor of the city of Rye, said in a news conference today that "both girls are doing fine." But he said the aggressive coyotes are "a threat to public safety." He said he was reaching out to county, state and federal government for assistance.

Yesterday, the 3-year-old girl was taken to the hospital after the incident, which happened at her house behind the Rye Nature Center.

Police Commissioner Bill Connors said the girl was playing with a six-year-old neighbor when the coyote jumped from rock near the nature center, biting the small girl on the neck and torso. When the parents came running to help the girl, the coyote ran off, Connors explained.

On Saturday, two coyotes attacked a 6-year-old girl in her front yard. She was treated at a hospital and released.

Connors advised parents to "not allow your children to play outdoors especially during early evening hours." while the incident is dealt with. If you are outdoors he advises being at arms length of the your children and if you see a coyote, act aggressive, but don't run away.

"These incidents represent highly abnormal behavior," he said. There is "no clear explanation" for why the coyote or coyotes are aggressive.

He said trappers are actively working to catch the animals.

Westchester public health officials released a list of tips to stave off wild animals: